Holmenkollen Ski Museum in Norway

Holmenkollen Ski Museum was established in 1923, making it the oldest ski museum in the world. It is situated at the base of Norway‘s famous Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo. Tours of both the museum and the Jump Tower are on offer, providing insight into the ancient history of skiing, as well as modern-day skiing. In fact, the Holmenkollen Ski Museum covers the history of skiing back some 4,000 years to the Stone Age.

The latest addition to the exhibitions at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum is the “Is it possible?!” display. Located in the new building of the museum, this feature has been designed to challenge people’s perceptions and open them up to the possibilities. It demonstrates how anything is possible for those with disabilities, how difficulties can be overcome. Visitors to the museum are given the opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to move on a Sitski, as well as what it feels like to shoot when blind.

The museum’s polar exhibitions deal with the expeditions of Børge Ousland, Fridtjob Nansen and Roald Amundsen, with much of the equipment on display having been donated by polar explorers. Two of Fridtjof Nansen’s expeditions are followed. Firstly there is his trip across Greenland in 1888. Nansen is noted for his experimental nature, testing different types of ski gear during the journey. He published “The First Crossing of Greenland” in 1890, leaving a model for explorers who followed him. The next expedition of Nansen’s covered at the Ski Museum is the “First Fram Expedition” to the North Pole in 1893 to 1896. On display is the clothing worn by Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen, along with other artifacts from their attempt to reach the North Pole.

Roald Amundsen’s South Pole expedition is also looked at. This was in fact a race between Amudsen’s group and a British expedition with Captain Rober Falcon Scott. They won the race, arriving at the pole on 14 December 1911, followed by the British on 18 January 1912.

An interesting display is related to Børge Ousland, who in fact borrows pack his equipment when headed on further polar adventures. There are film clips of his solo North Pole trip in 2001 as well as other items on display. Further exhibitions at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum show how skis were used in prehistoric times, as well as the development of skis through the ages. Intricately decorated skis are found in the Old Norwegian Village Skis display. There is a Wall of Fame that is constantly updated, models of the Holmenkollen ski jump and films of famous moments in skiing history.

Holmenkollen Ski Museum is well worth a visit for the whole family. Visiting hours are 10 am to 4 pm in October to April; 10 am to 5 pm from May to September; and 9 am to 8pm in the months of June, July and August.

Protect Our Winters to Save Future of Snow Sports

Protect Our Winters is a non-profit organization that was started by Jeremy Jones, a pro snowboarder, in 2007. The organization is concerned with the effects of climate change on mountains, and in turn on winter sports and communities. Protect Our Winter’s mission is to get the global snow sports community to unite and lead the way in fighting climate change.

Jeremy Jones saw the need for action to be taken when he experienced firsthand the effects of climate change. Resorts and areas that were once open to snowboarders and skiers had to be closed due to lack of snow. The greatest risk to winter sports is the increasing temperatures that will result in decreased snowpack in North America‘s western mountains, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This would ultimately mean less snow, with a shorter skiing and boarding season. While it has been noted that climate change may see more powder in certain areas, the warmer mountains are at risk. It is strongly believed by scientists that if action is taken now, mankind can reduce the build-up of greenhouse gases, lessening the rate and magnitude of climate change.

With this in mind, Protect Our Winters firmly believes that active participation by the community, along with a change in consumer behavior, means snow sport enthusiasts can have a positive impact on climate change. The organization is involved in activitism, education initiatives and other community projects. Amongst their campaigns is the POW Riders Alliance, which encourages winter sport athletes to set an example in reducing their carbon footprint and influence consumer behavior positively. The POW Community Fund/Monthly Grants program offers grants to community based groups working to fight climate change. Through global activism, Protect Our Winters educates others and also brings the community together to create awareness and bring about change, especially in relation to legislative issues.

Protect Our Winters has joined with Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) to establish the Hot Planet/Cool Athletes initiative, aimed at mountain community schools. Through the help of pro-athletes and multi-media, students learn about solutions to climate change and are inspired to take action. The Coal Kills Snow program has been formed along with The Sierra Club, highlighting how burning coal, as well as mining, are poor ways to generate power and are affecting climates in mountain regions. The focus is to move away from coal to renewable energy. Finally, the Resort Partnerships scheme is used to raise funds to assist community projects, as well as creating awareness through events.

A number of Protect Our Winters‘ projects have seen good results and they continue to work hard to save our mountains for the benefit of communities and winter sport fans.

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